Celtic next manager: New odds-on favourite emerges amid surprising Martin O’Neill news
Celtic could well be on the hunt for a new manager again in the summer despite appointing Martin O’Neill earlier this week.
The 73-year-old has only signed a deal until the end of the season at the Hoops, as the former interim manager looks to guide the Old Firm side to a Scottish Premiership title.
Football Insider recently revealed that O’Neill plans to step aside at Celtic come the end of the season, and is not looking to take up the position full-time.
Therefore, as it stands, a new coach will be needed for the 2026-27 campaign, after Wilfried Nancy was sacked on Monday at Celtic Park.
Now, the current Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has emerged as the favourite for the role.
Roberto Martinez 8/11 to take over at Celtic for the 2026-27 campaign
In recent days, Martinez has emerged as a shock contender to take over at Celtic Park.
The Spaniard is currently the manager of the Portugal national team, and will be aiming to win the World Cup this summer.
However, the bookies now believe that he will return to domestic football for the first time since 2016.
The 52-year-old is now the odds-on favourite to be in the Celtic dugout for the first match of the 2026-27 campaign.
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According to one bookmaker, Martinez is now just 8/11 to take over at the Hoops next, overtaking O’Neill, who was previously the favourite for the Celtic job.
Who else is in the running for the Celtic job?
On top of Martinez and O’Neill, Shaun Maloney remains in the mix.
The former Wigan Athletic manager is currently a coach at Celtic and is supporting O’Neill as his assistant.
A return for Ange Postecoglou is also not ruled out, with the former Hoops boss 12/1 to make a sensational return.
Robbie Keane is also an outsider for the position. The Ferencvaros manager has been sensational at the Hungarian side and is continuously linked to jobs in the UK.
The former Celtic striker is currently 16/1 to take over from O’Neill in what would be a shock appointment for the 2026-27 campaign.